The  sold out Festival in the Desert at Town Hall last Wednesday, October 31, presented two phenomenal acts, Vieux Farka Touré and Tinariwen.

Vieux is the son of the late, great African blues musician, Ali Farka Touré. He and his band filled the hall with playful energy, showcasing their fusion of traditional African blues with lighter, modern influences that sparked Seattleites to dance. There was a more soulful component of their performance as well: when Vieux took up exactly where his father had left off and played raw African blues. Already an extraordinary guitarist, young Vieux is obviously at the beginning of a long and successful career.

Tinariwen blew me away. Formed in Touareg rebel camps, the band (unfortunately without Mina on Wednesday) addresses the politics and repression of the Tourareg people both lyrically and instrumentally. Almost totally stationary on stage, they only took a few seconds to delve deep into their rich, full sound that has prompted BBC World Music Awards nominations– that is– their raw, rhythmic, politically charged rock’n'roll.

I will remember this concert for the rest of my life; it was a Halloween full of the most skillful guitar playing I have ever witnessed
- Jon Kertzer